Arizona
Despite QB Kurt Warner throwing three picks, the defense appeared
to have done enough to hold for the victory when backup DE Antonio
Smith recovered an aborted snap by STL QB Marc Bulger in Ram territory
down by two points. Instead of driving for a game-winning FG, Warner
would cost the team the game when he fumbled a snap two plays later,
sealing the loss.

MLB Gerald Hayes continues to be an extremely productive fantasy
player. Although he was held without a pick for the first game
this season, he led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo) and recovered
a fumble. Calvin Pace returned to the starting lineup at SLB and
Orlando Huff was the WLB. Despite the LB corps being thin with
James Darling inactive and Karlos Dansby limited, Darryl Blackstock
appear back in HC Denny Green’s doghouse a week after doing
little when given a start. Blackstock was limited to special teams
work.

The Rams focused on playmaking SS Adrian Wilson by assigning
RB Stephen Jackson to account for him first on him on most pass
plays. Wilson finished with 4 solo tackles and broke up a pass.

Atlanta
DE John Abraham was inactive for the second straight game with
a groin injury. Chauncey Davis started in his place again. Abraham’s
status remains uncertain, as he can do light running, but not
yet work out of his stance. On the other side, DE Patrick Kerney
continues to be limited by a triceps injury. He still saw most
of the snaps, but finished with just 1 solo tackle. He’ll
continue to play RDE while Abraham is out. With the starters dinged
up, rookie Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard were again seeing
more work at DE. The front four was held without a sack and failed
to put much pressure on NO QB Drew Brees. Backup CB Kevin Mathis
had their only sack and the team failed to force a turnover.

CB DeAngelo Hall has to leave after a calf injury in the first
quarter had him down on the turf for a while and assisted off,
but he returned to the game.

Baltimore
With the Ravens in danger of falling to the winless Browns, CB
Chris McAlister exploited a bad decision by CLE QB Charlie Frye
picking off a pass in the end zone with less than four minutes
remaining. McAlister is making the most of his INTs this season,
as he returned one for a TD in Week One.

WLB Bart Scott continued his breakout season. He had two sacks
in a game for the second time this season, setting a new career
high with his NFL-leading fifth sack. He also posted 8 tackles
(4 solo) and broke up a pass. DT Kelly Gregg and DE Trevor Pryce
shared a sack and each had one of their own. DE Terrell Suggs
and OLB Adalius Thomas each had their third sack of the season.
Suggs had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring
injury. He said he felt good on Tuesday, wasn’t walking
with a limp, and is day-to-day.

Buffalo
After getting to the QB seven times the previous week, they failed
to generate much pressure on Sunday. The team posted just one
sack and hit NYJ QB Chad Pennington only one other time, both
by DE Chris Kelsay. They also forced no turnovers.

SLB Takeo Spikes was inactive for the second straight game and
is expected to remain questionable for this week. Rookie Keith
Ellison continued to start in his place and posted 8 tackles (1
solo). Ellison played SLB this time, while Angelo Crowell was
back at WLB where he led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo), as
well as defended a pass.

Carolina
A lot of talk in the media recently about the quality of play
of the linebackers. Pat Yasinskas of the Charlotte Observer quoted
an anonymous NFC scout criticizing Adam Seward as the replacement
for Dan Morgan, particularly the ability of Seward to diagnose
plays and his quickness. This week the team moved Chris Draft
to MLB, while Seward and Na’il Diggs both worked at WLB.
Draft led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo, including 1 on special
teams). Morgan remains out indefinitely with a concussion and
is yet to comment on his status. The team said he will be reevaluated
for Week Four.

SS Shaun Williams was out with a foot injury from Week Two. Colin
branch started in his place and had 4 tackles (1 solo). CB Chris
Gamble picked off the first pass of the game by TB QB Chris Simms
to set up a TD.

After a three-sack game the previous week, DE Julius Peppers
had another among his 7 tackles (5 solo).

Chicago
DT Tommie Harris continues to look like an All-Pro. He drew double-teams
all day and got his team-leading third sack in the game, but his
biggest play didn’t show up in the box score. With the Bears
trailing and less than four minutes to play, Harris burst into
the backfield on a third-and-eight, blowing up a handoff that
was fumbled and recovered by DE Adewale Ogunleye. The Bears scored
the game-winning TD on the subsequent possession.

Backup DE Mark Anderson continues to make plays in limited opportunities.
After Ogunleye got dinged and had to briefly leave the game in
the second quarter, Anderson replaced him long enough to recover
a fumble forced by SS Mike Brown after a 20-yard pass completion.

Cincinnati
MLB Odell Thurman, already serving a four-game suspension for
violating the league’s substance abuse policy, was arrested
early Monday morning on a drunken driving charge. His blood-alcohol
test 0.18, more than twice the 0.08 legal limit. HC Marvin Lewis
said it would “surprise” him if Thurman were not suspended
for the year and cleared out his locker this week. Ouch. Bump
up Brian Simmons, who could now be the MLB all year, and Landon
Johnson, who looks to remain a starter at WLB. The two tied for
the team lead in tackles with 9 on Sunday. Simmons also recovered
a fumble forced by SS Kevin Kaesviharn that led to a game-clinching
TD in the mid-fourth quarter. Kaesviharn started in place of Dexter
Jackson, who was inactive with an ankle sprain and expected out
through at least Week Six. Kaesviharn also had 8 tackles (7 solo)
and saved the game with an INT in the end zone on Pittsburgh’s
final play from scrimmage. FS Madieu Williams also had a pick
in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter.

Rashad Jeanty remains the starter at SLB with David Pollack having
gone on the IR last week. If Thurman is done for the year, his
job security improves. Jeanty had 7 tackles (2 solo).

DE Justin Smith (DE, LB) had his fourth sack of the season and with his
second two-sack game of the year, so did Robert Geathers. Geathers
disappointed as a pass rusher when he was the starter last year,
but working as a pass rush specialist this year, he already set
a new career high with 4 sacks through just three games.

Cleveland
OLB Willie McGinest, who was out with a calf injury the previous
week, returned to the starting lineup posting 3 solo tackles,
including a sack, and broke up a pass. McGinest and Kamerion Wimbley
applied good pressure throughout the game in passing situations.

CB Gary Baxter was inactive after aggravating a pec injury last
week. Daven Holly started in his place, and while he struggled
with coverage, he had 7 solo tackles. ILB Andra Davis (4 solo)
and SS Sean Jones (DE, DB) (4 solo) also tied for the team lead with 7
tackles.

DE Orpheus Roye was inactive with a shoulder injury and Ethan
Kelley started in his place. Roye is expected back next week.

Dallas
HC Bill Parcells said FS Pat Watkins had to quit “block
tackling”, diving and leading with the head, and learn to
wrap up. Otherwise, he’ll be benched, because “if
he keeps doing it, he’s going to wind up in a coffin”,
Parcells said. Watkins won the starting job in preseason regardless
of vet Marcus Coleman being suspended for four games for violating
the league’s substance abuse policy.

Denver
The defense has gone 11 quarters without allowing a TD, the best
streak in the NFL since the Chicago Cardinals in 1942.

MLB Al Wilson aggravated a hamstring injury, which had him in
and out of the game Sunday night. He had just 2 assists. With
backup Nate Webster inactive, the team shuffled players to compensate.
They played a lot of nickel in the second half while sitting on
a lead, which utilized OLB Ian Gold and D.J. Williams in the middle.
Gold led the team with 13 tackles (11 solo) and Williams had 10
(6 solo).

An already thin DE corps got a scare when Kenard Lang left the
game with a mild concussion in the third quarter. He returned
to the game and while he didn’t get a sack, hit Tom Brady
6 times during the game. The team had no sacks, but hit Brady
a total of 15 times and caused 22 “deviant passes”,
a stat the defense keeps indicating how many passes they negatively
influenced from being on target. Lang continues to start in place
of DE Courtney Brown, who has yet to be active for a game this
year while he recovers from preseason knee surgery.

CB Darrent Williams had 10 tackles (9 solo) as the Patriots consistently
avoided throwing at CB Champ Bailey. Bailey finished with just
an assist. Williams left the game with a strained neck at one
point.

Detroit
For the second straight game, the Lion defense failed to record
a sack, despite the Packers having two rookies on the OLine. They
had five against Seattle in the season opener. The secondary was
thin and the Packers exploited it running multiple three-receiver
sets. CB Fernando Bryant was not at the game due to a death in
the family. Jamar Fletcher started in his place and that forced
reserve S Jon McGraw to be the nickel, as recent Day One picks
Kevin Smith and Stanley Wilson have disappointed. McGraw fell
down on an early 75-yard TD by GB WR Greg Jennings with a nice
RAC. Rookie Daniel Bullocks got his first career start at SS with
Kennoy Kennedy out with a foot injury. Bullocks had 6 tackles
(4 solo) and a pass defensed.

SLB Paris Lenon and WLB Ernie Sims saw most of the work in the
nickel, limiting the debut of Boss Bailey at MLB. Not sure if
Bailey’s ankle remains a concern, but it is surprising how
limited his use has been. Bailey 5 tackles (4 solo), while Sims
led the team with 9 tackles (3 solo) and also broke up a pass.

Green Bay
After two big weeks, DE Aaron Kampman was unable to exploit rookie
Jonathan Scott getting his first career start at tackle for the
Lions. Kampman got close, but failed to record a sack for the
first time this season. First round pick WLB A.J. Hawk had his
first career sack among his 8 tackles (5 solo) in his best game.
Reserve DT Corey Williams was the main pass rush threat, seeing
more work with Colin Cole inactive. Williams had 2 sacks, as many
as he had all last season, and just missed a few more. DT Ryan
Pickett had to leave the game with a sprained ankle, but returned.
His status for this week is uncertain as swelling remained a problem
early in the week. Williams could step up again if Pickett can’t
go.

SS Marquand Manuel had the only turnover, when he returned a
deflected pass 29 yard for a TD. CB Ahmad Carroll appeared to
have interfered on the play causing the ball to bounce up for
grabs.

MLB Nick Barnett led the team with 9 tackles (just 2 solo). Brady
Poppinga was the surprise starter at SLB to start the season,
but his grip on the job is loosening because of his struggles
in pass coverage. Ben Taylor, the free agent brought in who was
expected to take the job, finally saw work in base defense as
well as passing downs. Poppinga finished with 7 tackles (6 solo),
while Taylor had 3 (2 solo, including 1 on special teams).

Houston
The Mario Williams Sack Watch goes on. The first overall draft
pick posted 3 tackles (2 solo). He has yet to post a sack in an
NFL game, pre- or regular season. HC Gary Kubiak was critical
of Williams’ performance, as well. With Antwan Peek out
indefinitely with a groin injury, Jason Babin remains a starter
at DE, but had just 1 solo tackle. Peek is expected back this
week. The biggest play up front was DT Travis Johnson stopped
WAS QB Mark Brunell’s NFL-record 22 completions to start
a game when he batted down Brunell’s 23rd pass.

The struggles in the front four can be seen in the fact CB Dunta
Robinson (11 solo) and CB Lewis Sanders (9 solo, including one
on special teams) led the team with 11 tackles. Rookie MLB DeMeco
Ryans had 10 tackles (9 solo).

Indianapolis
After missing most of the preseason with a calf strain, Michael
Doss lost his starting SS to job to rookie Antoine Bethea. With
FS Bob Sanders out with a sore knee, Doss made a big impact back
at SS on the first team. Doss flashed his big hitting ability
on his way to 9 tackles (7 solo) and sealed a win with a pick
with less than a minute to play. With Doss back at SS, Bethea
moved to FS and had an impressive day. He led the team with 12
tackles (4 solo) and broke up a pass. Sanders’ status for
this week is uncertain, so Doss could continue to have value.

The conversion of Raheem Brock to primarily a DT has been a big
success. Brock had been a tweener the last couple of years. He
would typically play end on runs in their base defense and move
inside on passing downs to make room for Robert Mathis. With Mathis
installed as an every-down DE, Brock has done the same inside.
He had the team’s only sack on Sunday and now leads the
Colts with 2.5 through three games. In leagues that require a
DT, he is a guy to check the waiver wire for. DT Corey Simon remains
inactive with a knee injury and is not expected back until after
their October 15th bye week.

CB Nick Harper had to leave the game with a strained groin. Harper
had been questionable with rib and ankle injuries, but started.
Marlin Jackson replaced him and had 8 solo tackles (including
one on special teams) in the game. Harper is not expected to play
this week, so Jackson should start in his place. Rookie CB Tim
Jennings was active for the first time and had a tackle on special
teams.

Jacksonville
With Reggie Hayward done for the season, Rob Meier continues to
start at DE, but it is Bobby McCray to keep an eye on. For the
second consecutive game he had a sack, as his work as a situational
pass rusher increases. McCray replaces Meier on third-and-long,
with Meier moving inside. McCray was a blue chip HS recruit who
flashed potential while playing at Florida. However, he never
lived up to lofty expectations, while exhibiting behavior and
attitude problems. The result was he fell to the seventh round
where the Jaguars took him as a project. He is unlikely to be
productive enough to be considered in redraft leagues, but now
is worth considering as a developmental prospect in deep dynasty
leagues.

MLB Mike Peterson (6 solo) and WLB Darryl Smith (4 solo) led
the team with 8 tackles. Pat Thomas, who was beaten out by Nick
Greisen for the starting SLB job in the preseason, was placed
on the IR with a hamstring injury. With Thomas gone, rookie Clint
Ingram was active for the first time, but saw little work.

Kansas City
DC Gunther Cunningham talked in the KC Star about being happy
with the speed on the edges and pressure DEs Jared Allen and rookie
Tamba Hali bring. He noted that they are frequently double-teamed.
The paper went on to say the failure of the pass rush is that
no pressure is generated by the interior DLine to collapse the
pocket and prevent the edges from being double-teamed.

Miami
A secondary that was a liability in the first two games was key
in their Week 3 win. CB Travis Daniels, who missed the first two
games with an ankle sprain, returned. He didn’t start, but
played, although he began to struggle and was removed in the second
half. However, he had to return in the fourth quarter when CB
Eddie Jackson sprained a toe. Daniels went on to seal the victory
with a late fourth quarter pick in Miami territory. After he scored
earlier in the game, TEN third-string TE Bo Scaife was stripped
by CB Will Allen (CB, SS) at the Miami two-yard line and CB Andre Goodman
recovered it.

MLB Zach Thomas has lost a more than a step in straight coverage,
he was beat by Scaife on the TD and smoked by PIT TE Heath Miller
earlier this year, but he can still make the big play when he
is in position, especially if he’s helped there. Thomas
was on a blitz in the first quarter when DE Jason Taylor hit TEN
QB Kerry Collins as he was throwing. Thomas bounced off a blocker
and the ball landed in his hands for his first INT of the season.
Thomas also broke up another pass and led the team with 9 tackles
(6 solo).

With two sacks on Sunday, 37 year-old DT Keith Traylor leads
the team, and set a new career-high, with 3 sacks on the year.

Minnesota
As CHI QB Rex Grossman scrambled in his own end zone to avoid
a safety, he attempted to hit RB Thomas Jones in the flat. The
ill-advised pass was grabbed by CB Antoine Winfield and returned
for a go-ahead TD early in the fourth quarter. However, the Vikings
couldn’t protect the lead. Winfield also led the team with
10 solo tackles. FS Dwight Smith also had a pick. He had to leave
the game due to dehydration, but returned after getting an I.V.

Rookie CB Cedric Griffin got a surprise first start on Sunday
in place of Fred Smoot. Smoot came in the second series, played
most of the game, and had 5 solo tackles and broke up a pass.
HC Brad Childress hinted it was for disciplinary reasons, but
did not elaborate. Smoot suffered a concussion in the game, but
returned.

SLB Ben Leber may have to sit out this week with a knee sprain.
Leber’s backup is Jason Glenn, but Heath Farwell has also
been mentioned as a possible replacement. HC Brad Childress declined
to speculate. Dontarrious Thomas is the backup at MLB, but can
play outside too.

New England
With the offense struggling, the defense was unable to create
any plays to help. The team was held without a sack and forced
no turnovers. They have only one this season, a pick by ILB Tedy
Bruschi. Bruschi was unable to grab a batted pass in the first
quarter that could have been an INT. OLB Rosey Colvin blindsided
DEN QB Jake Plummer on second-and-11 in the second quarter and
the ball came loose into the hands of the Pats, but it was ruled
an incomplete pass. DE Richard Seymour hit Plummer 3 times, but
couldn’t get there in time. He finished with 7 tackles (4
solo). ILB Junior Seau led the team with 13 tackles (just 2 solo)
and broke up a pass.

SS Rodney Harrison had to leave the game for a time in the third
quarter with an arm injury. James Sanders replaced him and demonstrated
how thin the quality of depth is yet another year in the Pats
secondary. Sanders was immediately flagged for a 30-yard pass
interference call. Later, he failed to get over to help CB Asante
Samuel on an 83-yard TD to DEN WR Javon Walker. CB Ellis Hobbs
was beaten for a 32-yard TD by Walker earlier. FS Eugene Wilson
also temporarily left with an injury.

New Orleans
A punt block by special teams ace S Steve Gleason recovered by
backup CB Curtis Deloach for a TD set the tone, as a boisterous
crowd helped and aggressive defense never let ATL QB Michael Vick
and Falcons get settled in the game.

The pressure started up front, where Week One fantasy stud DT
Brian Young bounced back from a shoulder injury in the previous
game and had 5 tackles (4 solo), including a sack. DE Charles
Grant had his first sack since November 2005 among his 5 solo
tackles. Opposite him, Will Smith had a sack to give him one in
each game so far this year.

SLB Scott Fujita led the team with 8 tackles (6 solo), including
a sack and forced fumble.

Rookie DE Rob Ninkovich, who flashed some potential in limited
exposure earlier this year, will be sidelined up to eight weeks
with a knee injury.

New York Giants
After a strong start to the season, injury problems started again
for WLB Carlos Emmons. He had to leave the game with a strained
pec, the same injury that ended his 2005 season early. He is going
through tests on the muscle and his status is up in the air for
this week. Rookie Gerris Wilkinson replaced him and had 4 solo
tackles.

New York Jets
SS Kerry Rhodes remains a tackle and playmaking machine, despite
playing through a sore ankle. Rhodes (7 solo) and ILB Jonathan
Vilma (6 solo) tied for the team lead in tackles. Rhodes also
had 2 sacks, forcing a fumble on both, giving him 3 sacks and
forcing a fumble on all for the season. He has been an unexpected
replacement for the production of John Abraham. Vilma recovered
one fumble and OLB Victor Hobson recovered the other, returning
it 32 yards for a TD. Although it looked like Hobson stepped out
of bounds on the return, the play was not challenged. Hobson had
been benched early in the game after a roughing the passer penalty
and was replaced by Matt Chatham. Hobson returned in the second
half in time for the fumble return and also to post a sack.

Former first round pick Dewayne Robertson continues to struggle
in HC Eric Mangini’s hybrid 3-4. The Star-Ledger compliments
Robertson efforts in the second half, after admitting the Bills
were running wild over him on the first half, but it was more
the adjusted of beefing up with Rashad Moore and Bobby Hamilton
in many sets that helped. Mangini has not been critical of Robertson,
but he does not appear cut out to handle constant chips and double-teams
a NT faces. Regardless of how well he places in real NFL terms,
he is useless as a fantasy player now.

Derrick Strait started at FS despite the NFL Gamebook saying
otherwise. This ended a streak of 34-straight starts for Coleman
since winning the job as a rookie. Coleman was demoted after struggling
in Week Two against the Patriots. He saw most of the work there
during the game, however. David Barrett played through a hip injury
to replace Justin Miller as a starter at CB during the game.

Rookie Anthony Schlegel has yet to be active for a game this
year, but could be getting closer. He was practice team player
of the week for the Jets in Week Three.

Oakland
SLB Sam Williams (ankle sprain) and CB Nnamdi Asomugha (foot sprain)
are both expected to play this week after a bye. Both were inactive
Week Two. CB Fabian Washington, who left the game with a strained
hamstring, is expected to play, as well.

Philadelphia
Just shy of three bills, DT Mike Patterson is an unlikely answer
to the question of who holds the longest fumble return in Eagle
history, but that is what he became on Sunday. The ball popped
out when SF RB Frank Gore ran in to FS Brian Dawkins on a goal-line
lunge in the third quarter. While the 49ers all seemed to think
the play was over, an alert Patterson picked it up and rumbled
98 yards for a TD. QB Alex Smith (QB, TE) was the first to finally notice,
and although he could have caught up to Patterson, backup S Quintin
Mikell provided the interference for Patterson to make it to the
end zone. It turned out to be a more costly play for SF than just
the TD. Gore left after straining his abdomen trying to stretch
for the TD and TE Vernon Davis cracked a bone in his leg trying
to chase Patterson down. Patterson recovered another fumble in
the game and had a solo tackle, as well.

As expected, Trent Cole moved in to the starting lineup in place
of Jevon Kearse, but at RDE. He had a sack among his 4 tackles
(2 solo), tying him for the NFL-lead with five. Darren Howard
seemed right at home switching over to LDE. Howard forced a fumble
on a sack and had a TFL among his 3 solo tackles, as well as knocking
down a pass. The DLine continued their hockey rotation without
Kearse, as former first round pick Jerome McDougle active for
the first time this year to fill the opening.

Despite being doubtful for the game, CB Rod Hood started, but
was unable to finish the game. He continued to come out in nickel
situations after Joselio Hanson replaced him in the base package,
but left the field in apparent increasing pain after each series
until not returning. Hood’s status is uncertain, but the
team got good news in the CB Lito Sheppard is expected to practice
this week and could play. There was further bad news on the injury
front for the secondary. FS Brian Dawkins left with a concussion
in the third quarter, but he says he will play this wee. Sean
Considine replaced him and had to leave with a hip flexor. An
MRI was clean, so Considine should be available. The most concerning
injury seemed to be SS Michael Lewis (WR, SS) leaving on the second-to-last
play of the game with a leg injury. Lewis had 8 tackles (6 solo),
including demolishing SF QB Alex Lewis on a blind-side blitz late
in the game for a sack and forced fumble. Lewis’ status
is uncertain.

An update by Jay Glazer on Fox Sports pregame show indicated
DE Jevon Kearse’s injuries were more severe than originally
reported. As opposed to just having strained his three knee ligaments,
Glazer said he tore his MCL and suffered partial tears to his
LCL and PCL, as well as dislocating his knee cap and fracturing
his tibia (among other less noteworthy problems). Regardless,
this all still seems to be less critical than a torn ACL, as Glazer
indicated with the ACL intact, all the rest should be rehabbed
by training camp next year.

Once again the Eagles played a lot of nickel and dime packages,
where OLB Shawn Barber is featured, chipping in to WLB Matt McCoy’s
production. Barber led the team with 10 tackles (7 solo), including
1 on special teams, and broke up a pass. McCoy had just 3 tackles
(2 solo).

Pittsburgh
The defense kept getting to CIN QB Carson Palmer and forcing turnovers,
but the offense kept giving it back in key situations. CB Deshea
Townsend led the way with a pick and a forced fumble on a sack
recovered by ILB James Farrior. CB Ike Taylor also had a pick.
OLB Clark Haggans had his first 2 sacks of the year, forcing a
fumble on one. ILB Larry Foote led the team with 9 tackles (7
solo), including his first sack.

After a huge opener, OLB Joey Porter disappointed for the second
straight week with, again, just 1 assist.

St. Louis
After DE Tony Hargrove went AWOL last week, he was inactive. Rookie
Victor Adeyanju got the start and tied for a team-high 6 solo
tackles, displaying nice hustle on one tackle 34 yards downfield
after a reception by AZ WR Anquan Boldin. Hargrove apologized
to teammates and will be reinstated, but HC Scott Linehan indicated
Adeyanju would remain the starter, bumping his value in redraft
and dynasty leagues. Hargrove’s unexcused absence was reported
to be over a personal family issue. Backup DE Brandon Green also
saw more work in Hargrove’s absence and shared a sack with
backup LB Raonall Smith. Smith and Dexter Coakley, who had a pick,
saw work spelling WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa, who played with a brace
due to a dislocated elbow. Tinoisamoa started and had 2 solo tackles
and a pass defensed.

QB Marc Bulger appeared to have fumbled the game away before
the two-minute warning when he lost a snap in St. Louis territory
and just a two point lead. However, AZ QB Kurt Warner would lose
the snap two plays later and MLB Will Witherspoon would recover
it to preserve the win. Witherspoon also tied for the team lead
in tackles with 6 (4 solo). SS Corey Chavous had 6 solo tackles
and a pass defensed.

San Diego
SS Terrence Kiel was arrested at the team’s practice facility
on Tuesday on several drug charges, including intent to distribute.
Clinton Hart is behind him on the depth chart.

LB Shawne Merriman is expected to be ready for Week Four after
he underwent surgery for multiple nose fractures that occurred
in Week Two.

DE Igor Olshansky expects to play in Week Four. He has a torn
MCL, but it apparently healed sufficiently over the bye week.

San Francisco
After two sacks last week, backup S Chad Williams set a new career
high in just the third game of the season when he shared a sack
with MLB Derek Smith. FS Mike Adams should be looking over his
shoulder as Williams continues to turn in big plays. Adams’
suspect tackling was on display when with a stiff-arm by PHI RB
Brian Westbrook on a 71-yard TD was all it took to shed him. The
team had been negotiating a contract extension with Adams, but
the sides have been unable to come to terms. Williams played for
HC Mike Nolan when he was DC in Baltimore and Williams has been
a QB on the field, when he’s on the field, in helping teammates
understand Nolan’s defense.

Seattle
With the team employing a dime most of the fourth quarter after
putting up a huge lead, backup S Jordan Babineaux saw extensive
work in the middle field and piled up a team high 8 tackles (5
solo, including 1 on special teams). However, the team may have
to take a look at the holes in their dime package, as NYG QB Eli
Manning was able to direct three TD drive on it in the fourth
quarter, so the conservative defense didn’t exactly prevent
anything.

FS Ken Hamlin showed he is all the way back to being an impact
player from a life-threatening skull fracture last season. He
had 2 picks and 4 tackles (3 solo). SS Michael Boulware

Rookie Darryl Tapp continues to thrive as a situational pass
rusher. He had his second sack in as many games.

Tampa Bay
Despite a knee injury from the previous week, DE Simeon Rice started
and had his best game of the season. He had his first sack of
the season on 4 tackles (3 solo) and forced 2 fumbles. With the
Bucs down by 13 coming out of halftime, Rice forced a fumble on
the first two Carolina drives of the second half. Both resulted
in TDs that gave the team a brief lead for the first time in the
game.

After being pushed back to the bench by the return of MLB Shelton
Quarles, Barrett Ruud was back with the first team on Sunday.
SLB Ryan Nece was out after injuring his knee in practice last
week. As Ruud is more familiar with the middle, it was Quarles
who moved over and replaced Nece at SLB. It was the first start
for Quarles at the position since the 2001 season. It took Quarles
little time to adjust, he finished with 8 tackles (5 solo), including
a sack on which he forced a fumble, and a pass defensed. Ruud
had 8 solo tackles at MLB.

Juran Bolden started at CB in place of Brian Kelly, who was inactive
again with turf toe. After a huge game in Week Two, SS Jermaine
Phillips was solid, if unspectacular, with 7 solo tackles and
pass defensed.

Tennessee
OLB Keith Bulluck left the game with an ankle injury, but returned
and looked fine on a sack where he forced a fumble in the fourth
quarter. He finished with 5 tackles (2 solo). The pressure was
good all day from the Titans for the first time this season. DE
Kyle Vanden Bosch had his second sack of the season and a couple
QB hits. DE Travis LaBoy and DT Albert Haynesworth each had their
first sack of the season.

Rookie nickel corner Cortland Finnegan continues to be impressive.
He just missed his second sack of the season when MIA QB Daunte
Culpepper just made it back to the line of scrimmage in the first
quarter. He had 4 solo tackles in the game, another hit on Culpepper,
and recovered a fumble on special teams.

FS Chris Hope has been a tackle machine. He had a game-high 10
tackles (6 solo) and leads the team through three games. SS Lamont
Thompson’s starting role is on shaky ground as HC Jeff Fisher
said he has been put “on notice” after a poor game.
Vincent Fuller and rookie Calvin Lowry are behind Thompson on
the depth chart.

Washington
As running game rolled over Houston, the Redskins dominated time
of possession, leaving few opportunities for the defense to put
up stats. CB Carlos Rogers and WLB Warrick Holdman led the team
with 8 tackles (each with 6 solo).

CB Shawn Springs missed another game as he continues to recover
from abdominal surgery in mid-August. He hasn’t been active
yet this season and is unlikely to play this week. Kenny Wright
continues to start in his place.